9 Best Downtowns In New Zealand

Auckland and Wellington are the two most well-known urban centers in “The Land Of The Long Wild Cloud,” but to understand New Zealand and to truly embrace its deep connection to its stunning natural landscape, heritage, and community pride, you have to find it in the urban centers of its lesser-known cities and towns. They are the windows to understanding what taking it easy really means for a Kiwi while having a good time. Here are the 9 best downtowns in New Zealand.

Palmerston North

Located 87 miles north of New Zealand’s capital, Wellington, Palmerston North’s downtown offers quirky eateries, a vibrant performing arts scene, and tales of New Zealand rugby’s finest achievements. Palmerston North's eateries offer various cuisine choices, from Little Savana’s juicy flame-grilled dishes to Arranged Marriage Restaurant’s array of dishes from India’s Kerala region. Palmerston North is also known for its microbreweries, and Brew Union is one of its most popular, offering house-brewed beers and a wide selection of ciders and beers from breweries and cider houses across the country.

Because Palmerston North is home to Centrepoint Theatre, The Regent On Broadway, and the Globe Theatre, it’s never short on entertainment or the arts. These venues offer live music, dance performances, plays, and stand-up comedy. The comfort of food and art is abundant in Palmerston North, but to know New Zealand is to understand rugby. It’s why you can’t leave this vibrant city without visiting the New Zealand Rugby Museum, located within the Te Manawa Museum of Art, Science, and Heritage.

Napier

This beachside city is known for its sunny climate, a mecca for Art Deco architecture, and delicious dining options. After a devastating earthquake in 1931, Napier was rebuilt with many Art Deco buildings, creating a unique cityscape against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean. Napier’s Art Deco Walking Tour is a great way to experience the city’s Art Deco history and learn about the devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake that preceded the building of the city’s renowned collection of Art Deco buildings.

If you’re in Napier in February, you have to attend the annual Art Deco Festival featuring vintage cars, jazz music, and fine dining at Art Deco restaurants to commemorate the city’s Art Deco heritage. Once the Art Deco festivities have been had, you can enjoy the laid-back views of the Pacific Ocean by strolling the 3 km seafront of Marine Parade or while enjoying delicious food and drink at waterfront restaurants like Bistronomy & Vinotech or Pacifica Restaurant.

Porirua

Poririua’s downtown is great for family beach getaways and outdoor water enthusiasts. Beaches like Karehana Bay Beach, Titahi Bay Beach, and Dolly Varden Beach are perfect for family picnics, a relaxing day out in the sun, swimming, and water sports. Whether it’s surfing, family time, or quality time with a loved one, the beaches of Porirua offer something for everyone.

The south of Te Awarua-o-Porirua Harbor is also located in Porirua’s city center, which is a great jumping-off point if you want to have fun on a windsurf, waterski, or jetski. There is no doubt that Porirua is a great city for outdoor fun. But when you need a little break from the outdoors, you can get some culture at the Pataka Art and Museum or stuff your face at popular eateries like Local Authority, t bay cafe, or Tuk Tuk Thai Kitchen.

New Plymouth

Nature lovers will love downtown New Plymouth because it boasts beautiful beaches, stunning views of Mount Taranaki, and scenic views where visitors can take in the waves from the Tasman Sea. Back Beach and Fitzroy Beach are two of New Plymouth’s most popular beaches, where families and friends can partake in a variety of watersport activities or simply swim and sunbathe.

While surfing and taking in rays from the beaches of New Plymouth, visitors can also take in the views of Mount Taranaki, New Zealand’s second-highest mountain on the North Island, which dominates the landscape of the Taranaki region. You can also enjoy drier views of Mount Taranaki from Te Rewa Rewa Bridge or the 13 km scenic walk along the New Plymouth Coastal Walkway. This walkway also provides visitors with views of the Tasman Sea, making it great for sunsets and sunrises.

Rotorua

Downtown Rotorua is a center for Maori cultural preservation, relaxation, and geothermal wonder. Geothermal attractions such as Te Puia, Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, and Kuirau Park are popular tourist attractions featuring geysers, mud pools, and Maori cultural performances. Visitors who want a deeper dive into Maori culture should visit the Whakarewarewa and the Mitai Maori village, which showcase Maori cultural rituals, cuisine, and history. You could also learn traditional Maori carving and weaving at the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute (Te Puia).

Then, you can be pampered with spas, thermal pools, volcanic mud baths, and healing mineral waters. Known as “Nature’s Spa of the South Pacific,” Rotorua has numerous mineral hot pools that overlook forests and the stunning Lake Rotorua. The Polynesian Spa or Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland offers relaxing natural hot springs and pools, or opt for the mud spas and unique geothermal reserves at Hell’s Gate.

Whangarei

Whangarei has a walkable downtown core featuring beaches, scenic harbors, art, and dining. Known as the “City of 100 Beaches,” Whangarei boasts a diverse coastline with long stretches of gold and white sands, swells perfect for surfing, and beautiful ocean views. Matapouri Beach, Ocean Beach, and Waipu Cove are popular beaches in Whangarei, perfect for family fun in the sun, surfing, and relaxing.

Its walkable downtown core is great for slow walks that could lead you through an artistic route past the Street Prints Manaiai or into the Hundertwasser Art Center and Wairau Maori Art Gallery. The latter is a unique waterfront venue with a mixture of art and architecture, set against the city’s scenic marina views. You could also walk along the Quayside Town Basin to enjoy waterfront views from eateries like Aqua Restaurant and Bar or Loco Bar and Tapas.

Nelson

Nelson’s downtown core is known for its lively main street and arts and culture scene, perfect for relaxing, carefree strolls. Trafalgar Street is the heart of Nelson. This main street features a dining precinct with popular restaurants like Eight Plates and Hawker House and a pedestrian zone with green lawns, hammocks, and even live performances. If you take a walk to the top of Trafalgar Street, you’ll find Christ Church Cathedral, a historic church on a hill with beautiful gardens and great views of Nelson’s city center.

Nelson’s art and culture scene is fueled by treasured venues such as the Suter Art Gallery, the Theatre Royal, the Nelson Center for Musical Arts, and the Nelson Arts Festival. The city’s art festival and entertainment are popular among locals and tourists and have them coming year-round. If you opt for a relaxing stroll around Nelson’s downtown core, be sure to walk through Queen’s Garden, located in the center of the city, and if you’re a “Lord Of The Rings” fan, you’ve got to visit the Jen Hansen workshop in Trafalgar Square because it’s where the “precious” was forged.

Invercargill

If you love vintage cars, bikes, and diverse architecture, downtown Invercargill is for you. Invercargill is home to E Hayes and Sons hardware store, which stores the legendary motorcycle racer Burt Munro’s original motorcycle. The city also honors the legendary racer by hosting the annual Burt Munro Challenge and is home to the Bill Richardson Motorcycle World and the well-curated Classic Motorcycle Mecca.

Nelson’s wide, gridded streets make it very walkable and easy to explore its heritage and modern buildings. You’ll find 19th-century heritage buildings like the Morrison Sclanders & Co.Building, St. Barnabas Church, and the Holy Trinity Church, designed by the renowned architect William Beatson, but downtown Nelson also features modern structures like the iconic State Cinema and the Italianate-style Nelson Institute Building, designed by Arthur Griffin.

Queenstown

Nicknamed the “Adventure Capital Of The World,” Queenstown boasts various adventure activities and a lively downtown atmosphere. You can get your heart pumping on the white water rapids of the Shotover River or take your adrenaline up a notch by bungee jumping from the Kawarau Bridge. Queenstown’s proximity to Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains makes it perfect for hikes, cycling, horse riding, and river rafting.

To lower your adrenaline rush, enjoy libations and delicious grub at restaurants such as Nest Kitchen + Bar and the renowned Fergburger, or shop at the many specialty shops and art galleries such as the Creative Queenstown Arts and Crafts Market. Queenstown is a must for thrill seekers as it offers outdoor adventures for all seasons.

The towns and cities in New Zealand will not disappoint in offering unique experiences that are guaranteed to create lasting and relaxing memories. They will take your breath away with stunning natural wonders, vibrant and unique identities, and experiences that are fun, easy, and unique to New Zealand. So the next time you’re in New Zealand, you can count on these 9 downtown centers for a unique New Zealand experience.